Tackling the global plastic pollution crisis

Abstract Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global environmental challenge, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss while posing substantial risks to human health and the economy. Despite a rapid increase in scientific efforts in recent years, our understanding of the characteristics, distribution and environmental consequences of plastic pollution remains incomplete, with many aspects still under debate. This knowledge gap hinders the development and implementation of effective management strategies. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of plastic pollution from understanding to combatting, linking the environmental behavior of plastics with their ecological, health, and Earth-system risks. We further discuss mitigation and management strategies across the plastics life cycle. These strategies emphasize upstream prevention through redesign for minimizing production and facilitating reuse, supplemented by measures such as recycling and the implementation of biodegradable and compostable plastics, as well as exposure risk management. We also identify key challenges to address the interlinked triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution associated with plastics. The priorities and solutions to end plastic pollution include promoting sustainable production and consumption, minimizing plastic waste and leakage, mitigating plastic pollution and damage, and safeguarding planetary health.